Far West Gun & Supply

I generally like these guys, but I have to agree with some of their critics on a few points. I did my first HSC test at this shop a number of years ago, when I was sampling different handguns for potential future purchase. I found the operator there to be courteous and helpful, eager to show me a few guns after I passed the test, but I wasn't ready to purchase anything at that point, and I told him so. I'm sure he was disappointed, but he was cool about it, and I appreciated that. After spending a substantial amount of time and money sampling different firearms (mostly at the indoor range at Shooter's Paradise in Oxnard), I finally decided on the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm (full size) as my first handgun. As all shooters in Santa Barbara know, we have no indoor range here, and the outdoor range at Winchester Canyon (outside the City, on land controlled by the Los Padres National Forest and Chumash Indians) has no onsite firearm sales or rentals. That situation utterly SUCKS, and it's due to a combination of lack of affordable commercial space for such a facility, and idiotic local politics. SB politicians are generally liberal to the point of insanity, and genetically hostile toward ALL guns and ALL gun owners. None of them are interested in doing gun owners any favors, despite the fact that a disproportionate percentage of their tax revenue is probably extracted from the very same citizens. But I digress ... As bad as I might feel for how tough it probably is for the guys at Far West to profitably run a gun dealership in a communist enclave like Santa Barbara, no one likes getting raked over the coals when they buy a firearm. After my first HSC expired, I went back to Far West to re-take my test. This time, I was told I couldn't take the test at all, unless I was doing so in conjunction with a firearm purchase, and told they were ""forced"" to do this because the California DOJ had been purposely delaying distribution of handgun safety certificates to CA gun dealers. Mmm-hmm. Strike one. I looked at the S&W 9mm they had on display. It was sticker priced around $650, which, after tax and DOJ fees, would have left me stuck paying over $700 ""out the door."" Strike two. Since I couldn't take my HSC test there, and I wasn't ready to plunk down $700 for the S&W they had on hand without first doing some comparison shopping, I decided to wait for the next gun show in Ventura, and sniff around down there. The ""new"" guys from Island View Enterprises had a very nice display at the show, and they were happy to administer my HSC renewal test right then and there, no purchase required, and no BS about HSC rationing by the CA DOJ. After I passed the test and got my new HSC, I took a look at the handguns they had on display, which included the exact firearm I wanted ... their price tag: $499. For Far West, Strike 3. I bought the firearm from Island View on the spot, though I would have preferred to buy it from Far West. I would have paid a LITTLE more to support the local shop, but not $150 more on a $500 firearm. I like Far West, it's a good shop, knowledgeable ownership, with a long history in Santa Barbara. But the patience of local customers has its limits. A word to the wise, fellas ... we're not ""cheap"" ... we just don't like being lied to and taken advantage of in exchange for the supposed ""privilege"" of dealing with the City's ONLY licensed gun dealer. P.S. Island View Enterprises is scheduled to open a brand new indoor shooting range at its Ventura retail location in March 2012 ... more

Competition is required urgently to combat this local overcharging.\r \r I’m not a gunsmith but I am retired Army (Active Duty 22 years) and I am very much familiar with weapons. I have several rifles, shotguns, and pistols that I’ve purchased over the years. I say this just to let you know that I’m experienced with purchasing of firearms.\r \r I was looking for a BodyGuard .38 Smith &Wesson Special + P for my wife for home defense so I went to Far West Gun and Supply to purchase this revolver. The quote I was given from an employee at Far West Gun & Supply for the Smith & Wesson BodyGuard .38 + P was $599.00 (BEFORE TAXES); the “out the door” price was $673.00.\r \r Far West is the only “game” in Santa Barbara right now! Rick Dodge at Dodge City lost his license to sell several years ago (right now the reason doesn’t matter). Rick Helfrich at Goleta Valley Gun & Supply had his license suspended because he incorporated but didn’t properly prepare the paperwork but will have his license reinstated on February 1st. SO, THERE’S NO COMPETION FOR FAR WEST GUN & SUPPLY IN THE SANTA BARBARA AREA RIGHT NOW. \r \r \r I called Island View Enterprises in Ventura (www.venturagunstore) and they quoted an “out the door” price of $545.00 for the same S&W BodyGuard .38 ($128.00 less than Far West).\r \r \r The next day I went back to Far West and spoke with the owner, Jerry (and not the employee) and tried to “haggle” with him for the S&W BodyGuard .38 and his reply was, “don’t bother ‘cause it won’t work”. I explained to Jerry that I called Island View Enterprises in Ventura and they quoted an “out the door” price of $545.00 for the same S&W BodyGuard .38 but I wanted to keep it local and buy the S&W BodyGuard .38 in Santa Barbara. I asked Jerry if he could reduce the price of the S&W BodyGuard .38 to $600.00 (which I thought was a more than fair price) and I would buy it then and there. Jerry’s reply was NO. He said he pays taxes and rent in Santa Barbara and that he sets his prices and that he’ll have no problem selling the S&W BodyGuard .38 at his price ($673.00) (does he think he can hang any price on a gun and people will line up to pay for them). If Jerry can sell a gun to people for $1,000 but only pays $300 for that same gun, he is going to do it, it's called “FREE MARKET”. Learn it. Live it. Love it. BUT, I'll take my business to a less expensive (FAIR PRICED) “free market” where they have a reasonable “mark up” (due to less expensive rent and payroll of course), it’s called a “SUPPLY AND DEMAND”. If Jerry at Far West can charge outrageous prices and people are dumb enough to pay them then by all means sell them at that price. Jerry will make more money for himself and pay his employees better. \r \r I had always heard the standard markup on a firearm was between 10% and 15% above dealer cost but Far West was asking for 25% “mark up” ($163 over MSRP). The MSRP from Smith & Wesson for the BodyGuard .38 Special + P is $509.00\r \r \r Next, I went to Goleta Valley Gun & Supply and spoke with the owner, Rick Helfrich, and told him what Far West was charging for the S&W BodyGuard .38 Special + P and you could see the shock on his face, he couldn’t believe how much there “mark up” was. Then he went to the back and brought out the same S&W BodyGuard .38 Special + P that he has in stock and handed it to me and said his “out the door” price is $572.00. Rick said he will be getting his license back on February 1st so I decided to wait and purchase the BodyGuard .38 from Rick at Goleta Valley Gun & Supply (keeping it “local”).\r \r \r Now a word to the wise: Only fools and desperate people pay sticker price for a firearm. Shopping around for the best deal is the only option other than getting a FFL and buying wholesale. You can also discover the wonder that is the online firearms auction sights (GunAmerica, AuctionArms, or Gunbroker) \r more

Buyer Beware more

Professional, and friendly. more

Ive been a customer for over 15 years, good gun selection. more

Friendly and Knowledgable. As a novice, it was very helpful that the Far West employees spent time going over options and features with me. more

I had a wonderful experience. Jerry was very accomodating with my schedule, since I am unavailable during normal working hours. He also did a wonderful job adding a few accessories to my new 1911. I would definitely recommend Far West in the future. more

Always a good, friendly, and professional experience when visiting Far West. The owner and staff instill confidence in the customer and are readily able to speak with a wide variety of customer knowledge and skill levels, from beginner to experienced. more

As a first time buyer I appreciated the honesty patience and recommendations given to me by the knowledgeable staff. more

Knowledgeable and willing to inform. more

I was looking for a specific handgun awhile back and could not find it locally so I asked one of the guys if they would call me if it came in. Took some time but I got a call that it was in, went down and took my handgun safety cert test and paid for my gun. After the waiting period went and picked it up. Ive noticed if its busy it make take some time to get helped but most times ive visited the service was good. Walk it and say HI make eye contact and keep it simple. more

Alsways frindly and helpful.Excellent inventory. Like the smell of the pipe. more

Great! more

Very helpful and friendly people. more

Good, bit close quarters inside store though. more

Excellent! Jerry solved a very difficult problem for me for which I am truly grateful. He and his staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and interested in meeting your needs. I've been dealing with him for twenty-plus years, and have never been dissatisfied. more

Huge help and provided great information in solving an issue with my rifle, getting me the right amunition and providing information on my future more

I'm in no way affiliated with this shop in any shape or form and I am new to this sport. I just wanted to say that they've been very helpful during my resto project and their handgun selection is very nice considering the town - if any of the Far West guys frequent this site - thanks for the great advice on the stock refinishing! She's coming out great. Im the tall guy with the ridiculously plad shorts and a beard , just picked up some sealer/filler and true oil this afternoon and im almost done and the stock is looking wonderful without losing any character! all of your advice has been more helpful then you know! Sorry for mostly a useless post. Im also a huge motorcycle enthusiast and from that experience, ""its usually the best shops no one talks about, while everyone complains about the bad ones. I just wanted to do the rare thing and mention these guys are doing a great job and were really helpful. I've been in there 3x for small purchases and each time they were more then happy to help me out and answer any questions - today being purchase #3 - trumped all prior : The gentleman helping me was great, mid conversation as i was finalizing a sale and we were discussing some stock care issues....I mentioned i was refurbishing a 8mm mauser stock. He stopped processing the sale ( i was purchasing a 5$ bottle of true oil ) and looked at me with a concerned face and the conversation went as follows:him ""wait, have you used a sealer on the stock yet?""me ""ahh no i thought the true oil was a curing and sealing agent""him "" oh no no no you need a filler and sealer""me: ""well i dont want a filler, i want to preserve all marking and dents""him :"" no no its referring to the grain. You should really use this prior to the oil""me: ""ok i'll take your word for it thanks sir"" 1.5hrs later the sealer has dried and my first layer of true oil it - looks superb. I owe them one. sorry for the ridiculously happy thread - i just wanted to give them my thanks in a public way. They have really been good to my newb. Thank you Far West Gun and Supply !!!! more

Stopped by several times, being indecisive on which firearm to buy. They seemed to not mind me fondling 3-4 guns at a time. They were patient, respectful, and kind. Would recommend shopping here. Those who say they are rude - it must be the past employees more

Have had great experience buying and asking questions. Great Advise. more